Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz met with Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi in Riyadh this evening for talks about bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues, with an emphasis on the situations in Palestine and Iraq. Prodi arrived in Riyadh today for a two-day official visit to the Kingdom.

King Abdullah hosted a dinner in the prime minister’s honor at Al-Yamamah Palace in Riyadh, and presented his guest with the King Abdulaziz Sash, First Class.

Also today, Minister of Foreign Affairs Prince Saud Al-Faisal met with the Italian prime minister to discuss key issues, including the Middle East peace process and the situation in Iraq.

In a press conference at the Italian Embassy in Riyadh, Prodi pledged Italian support for the Arab Peace Initiative.

“We have agreed with the Saudi leadership to both boost the peace process as well as the Arab Peace Initiative in its capacity as a positive step to bring about comprehensive peace in the region,” he said.